News Release

Monday, January 29, 2018

House of Worship Arsonist Arrested NR18029dm

Los Angeles: Members of the
Inter-Agency House of Worship Task Force have made an arrest in a
series of intentionally set fires and acts of vandalism targeting
houses of worship in various Southern California communities.
Christian Michael Garcia, 25, was arrested on Thursday, January
25th, 2018, for suspicion of arson and vandalism, by personnel from
LAPD Major Crimes Division and Criminal Conspiracy Section along
with LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section Investigators and
Pasadena Fire and Police Department Arson Investigators.

The most recent incidents involved an incendiary fire and vandalism
at Resurrection Church in Boyle Heights and the Church of the
Angels located in Pasadena. In addition to the above incidents,
multiple other acts of arson and vandalism have occurred at houses
of worship in the City and County of Los Angeles over a period of
time.

The House of Worship Task Force consists of personnel from the Los
Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Pasadena
Fire Department, Pasadena Police Department and the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case will be
presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney on Monday,
January 29, 2018, for prosecution. Members of the task force will
be available to provide more details at a press availability to be
scheduled early next week.

"Arson and vandalism targeting houses of worship is a serious crime
and we have zero-tolerance for willful acts of destruction in the
City of Los Angeles," said LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas and LAPD Chief
Charlie Beck. "The destruction of a house of worship not only
devastates the affected congregation, but affects the entire
community. We will always investigate and prosecute the serious
crime of arson to the fullest extent of the law."

"The Collaboration of our Federal and local partners and the
tireless work of investigators from the various agencies in the
task force, made this arrest possible and is a testament to the
productive working relationship, first responders have here in
Southern California when a community is threatened by criminal
activity," said Pasadena Fire Chief Bertral Washington and Pasadena
Police chief Philip Sanchez.